In every age, since the beginning of time, there has always been individuals that
have proven themselves outstanding 'as a good soldier', because, they have been willing
to endure hardness. Sometimes, this 'hardness' has come in the area of deprivation
of food, shelter, family, and on and on. All because they have placed their priorities
in proper order, and in turn, have 'practiced what they preach'! In the Book of Romans,
chapter 2:21-29, we have an apt description of an individual that says one thing
and does the complete opposite. I am sure, that if we are honest within ourselves, everyone
of us has fallen into the practice, of not doing what we say should be done, or expecting
others to do, while we are not doing what we should. May The LORD help us in this most difficult task. THE NATION OF ISRAEL, has demonstrated a uniqueness as
a 'good soldier'. What other Nation on the face of the earth, has endured hardness
like Israel has? If you answered none, you are correct. I would like to tell you
a little about the Jewish people's part
in the 'JERUSALEM OF GOD'
, by their determination to do what The Almighty has required of them. First, let
us look into the part that Israel has had in relationship to THE WORD OF GOD.
The Jewish people were presented by The Almighty with not only and simply The Bible,
but they had to 'endure' hardness by living through the events they themselves describe
for us on the pages of Holy Writ. You see, it's quite one thing to pick up The Holy Bible and read it, while on the other hand, it's quite another thing to experience
day after day, generation after generation the incidences recorded for us by both
Prophets and Apostles. Yes, I said both Prophets and Apostles; you see, EVERY
writer of The Holy Bible was Jewish.
It was written by Jewish people and, about Jewish people, and for The Holy Bible
to be taken away from it's Jewish roots, is to do an injustice to everything that
it represents and stands for!
The Jewishness of The Word of GOD is found on every page in relationship to it's background,
it's culture, it's flavour, etc. No wonder, when The Bible is looked into from strictly
-Gentile (non-Jewish) eyes only,
there is a great possibility for misunderstandings and misrepresentations, and therefore,
I believe this is one of the reasons for so many cults and false religions, as well
as such great divisions within the very elect church of 'born again believers'. Each one is trying to set forth their 'own'
set of 'dogmas', rather than, accept The Word of GOD for what it was, is and always shall be, 'a
love letter' from The GOD of Israel, through the Jewish people, prophets, and apostles,
about
the Jewish people and presented to us by The Spirit of GOD, through the "...foolishness
of preaching", to all peoples
"...to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile", (Romans 1:16), "...to save them that
believe."
Another part that Israel has had in being a 'good soldier', and has 'endured hardness',
is in 'THE PLACE OF GOD', namely THE LAND OF ISRAEL, and The Holy City of Jerusalem, indeed the JERUSALEM
OF GOD!
No other people, and no other land has seen so much distress, than the Jewish people
and the land of Israel. The Almighty 'gave' the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
a land grant, as well as, He chose unto Himself within the land, a SPECIAL
place to put His name thereon, and that place is Jerusalem. And, because GOD chose
this land for His own, and appointed the Jewish people as guardians, mankind in general
over the many, many centuries have tried to take it away from GOD's people, time
and time again. As a result many Jewish people have paid with their very own lives, in
order to protect and safeguard The Place of GOD.
Today the government of Israel protects all of the holy sites, no matter if they
are Jewish, Christian, or Moslem. This affords all visitors that come to Israel,
the right to appreciate their own sites, buildings, etc., in complete safety, although,
if it were left up to the enemies of Israel, then peace and safety, would not be found
within THE PLACE OF GOD.
Please note Psalm 83:4 "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being
a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance". This is indeed
the attitude of the enemies of Israel, not only today, but at least, for the past
three thousand years. Yes, the Jewish people know what it means to 'endure hardness' as 'a good soldier'.
Lastly, THE PEOPLE OF GOD, namely the Jewish believers in Jesus of Nazareth have to be 'a good soldier'
and 'endure hardness', because of their faith in Jesus The MESSIAH!
All believers in Jesus Christ, whether they be Jewish or Gentile, if they are truly
living a life of godliness, will have to 'endure hardness'
in one form or another, either SPIRITUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY, or even, MATERIALLY!
But GOD, is faithful to all who will follow Him, for The Son of GOD said, "My
yoke is easy", and "My burden is light", that is, as He carries them for us! The People of GOD
in Israel, have even a greater burden to carry; they have to go through what all
Israelis do, that is, most of their earned money, has to go to various forms of governmental
structures, in order to survive. There are also many other forms of 'hardships'
that the Israelis have to deal with everyday. You can only begin to appreciate these
hardships, if you live in the land of Israel. I know, because I have lived with them,
and eaten with them and gone through a little of what most of them go through their
whole life time. On top of it all, a Jewish believer has to contend with the "problems"
that his new faith in Messiah Jesus produces. There are individual families, as well
as business associates, and comrades in arms that have to be dealt with on a daily
basis. What I am trying to say to you, dear reader, is that to be a believer in The
United States is a piece of cake - compared to what most believers outside of The
United States have to go through, and especially
in The Land of Israel.
Please do not
get me wrong, in the land of Israel, there is not
a group of vigilantes at the turn of every corner ready to attack, but what does exist,
is a tremendous amount of pressure that first is found within each person, especially
being brought up, in many cases, never hearing that Jesus is The True Messiah, as well as the fact, that the State
religion is traditional Judaism, which reviles, only if it feels itself threatened
by outsiders. One must understand that many times 'Christians'
or - so-called 'Christianity'
, has been presented in a less than kind and loving manner. In fact, most of the times,
'Christianity' has been presented to Jews worldwide, as a 'Gentile' religion and
even giving the concept of a religion that believes in THREE
gods; this of course is NOT TRUE 'CHRISTIANITY'
. True CHRISTIANITY, believes in kindness and love, and in only 'ONE GOD'
, that is, THE GOD
of Heaven
and Earth
and revealed in the person of Jesus our LORD,
through The Holy Spirit.
Christianity has also been presented to many in Israel in times past, with force and
violence! Take for example, a country, whose State religion is Christianity, while
at the same time are exterminating Jewish people, because, 'they are different'.
I have always said, no matter where, and how, and when, a Jew is always a Jew
and is always a reminder of The Almighty GOD of Israel! Therefore, the part of humanity
that lives and thinks wickedly, believes very strongly, that if they get rid of the
Jews, they will even rid themselves of the very memory of GOD.
How foolish they are; as well as being deluded and deceived! Are you a child of GOD
through Jesus The Messiah? Then remember to 'endure hardness, as a good soldier',
and treat in kindness and in love, The Word of GOD, The Place of GOD and The People of GOD, AMEN!!
